‘Critical incident’ declared by hospitals in Cornwall

An ‘acute pressure’ on beds has led to hospital chiefs in Cornwall to declare an internal critical incident.

 

The Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust (RCHT) said bed blocking, which had increased by more than 20 per cent since April, had been holding up ambulances.

 

Patients with non-emergency needs have been asked to contact their GPs, see pharmacists or call 111, and families with relatives in hospital have been asked if they could help get patients ‘home sooner’.

 

The Royal Cornwall Hospital has been warning for months that beds are being blocked by patients who are deemed medically fit to be discharged but have no care services ready for them.

 

It said bed blocking was affecting other services in the hospital and across the health system in Cornwall, adding that it had tried to discharge up to 200 people, equivalent to seven full wards.

 

Steve Williamson, chief executive of the trust, said declaring the incident would help get support from health and care partners “to take additional and immediate steps to create capacity”.

 

He added “Our population can help by making sure they make the right choice if they need urgent care, either by contacting their own GP, even if here on holiday, seeing a pharmacist or calling 111 for advice on the most appropriate place for their needs.”

 

Chadwick Lawrence’s specialist team of clinical negligence lawyers have years of experience in medical negligence claims, providing support and guidance after life-changing events.  Not only do we represent clients in Yorkshire, but because of our reputation we also represent clients nationally.

 

If you believe that you or a relative may have been injured as a result of clinical/medical negligence, please call for free legal advice from our medical negligence solicitors on the freephone number below.

 

Posted by Karen Motley, Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk ), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

 

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